Adaptive cruise control, all-speedAutomatically maintains set distance behind preceding vehicle as well as set speed. Can bring vehicle to a complete stop then accelerate back up to set speed. Replaces regular adaptive cruise control, and includes its value.

Automatically maintains set distance behind preceding vehicle as well as set speed. Can bring vehicle to a complete stop then accelerate back up to set speed. Replaces regular adaptive cruise control, and includes its value.

Cruise control

Hands-free trunk or liftgateRelease latch by waving a foot beneath the bumper or a hand near a sensor.

Release latch by waving a foot beneath the bumper or a hand near a sensor.

Heated steering wheel

Power front side windowsOften must be ordered with power rear side windows, if these are available.

Often must be ordered with power rear side windows, if these are available.

Power locks

Power rear side windows

Power trunk closerDecklid can be opened and closed using buttons inside the vehicle and on the keyfob.

Decklid can be opened and closed using buttons inside the vehicle and on the keyfob.

Proximity keyEnter and start the vehicle without removing the key from your pocket.

Enter and start the vehicle without removing the key from your pocket.

Remote appCheck on car and remotely control various functions (remote start, locks, lights, and/or HVAC) from a telephone or computer. Usually requires a monthly fee, though often as part of a package of telematics services.

Check on car and remotely control various functions (remote start, locks, lights, and/or HVAC) from a telephone or computer. Usually requires a monthly fee, though often as part of a package of telematics services.

Remote climate controlCan turn on air conditioning system remotely using the key fob, to cool down the car before getting into it. Some also enable this with heat.

Can turn on air conditioning system remotely using the key fob, to cool down the car before getting into it. Some also enable this with heat.

Remote keyless entryUnlock and lock the car using buttons on the keyfob.

Unlock and lock the car using buttons on the keyfob.

Remote start via appRemote start the car using a phone-based app. Complimentary for at least three years.

Remote start the car using a phone-based app. Complimentary for at least three years.

Remote window/roof operationOperate the power windows, sunroof, and/or convertible roof using buttons on the keyfob.

Operate the power windows, sunroof, and/or convertible roof using buttons on the keyfob.

Semi-automated parking systemAutomatically steers the vehicle into a parking space. Driver operates the transmission, and sometimes also the brake and accelerator.

Automatically steers the vehicle into a parking space. Driver operates the transmission, and sometimes also the brake and accelerator.

Special order chargeOne-time charge for special order options

One-time charge for special order options

Sunshade, rear, powerGreatly reduces the amount of sunlight entering the rear window. Includes the value of manual rear shade.

Greatly reduces the amount of sunlight entering the rear window. Includes the value of manual rear shade.

Sunshades, second rowGreatly reduce the amount of sunlight entering the rear side windows. Retract into rear doors.

Greatly reduce the amount of sunlight entering the rear side windows. Retract into rear doors.

Tilt/telescoping steering wheel, power

Universal garage door openerHomelink.

Homelink.

Brakes, Airbags, and Other Safety

4-wheel disc brakesRear disc brakes.

Rear disc brakes.

AlarmOnly listed when pricing a single model because insufficient data for all cars.

Only listed when pricing a single model because insufficient data for all cars.

Antilock brakes (ABS)Automatically pulse the brakes in hard stops to prevent wheels from locking up, making it possible to brake and steer at the same time.

Automatically pulse the brakes in hard stops to prevent wheels from locking up, making it possible to brake and steer at the same time.

Around view camerasSmall external cameras provide a top-down view all around the vehicle, to reduce blind spots while parking.

Small external cameras provide a top-down view all around the vehicle, to reduce blind spots while parking.

Performance braking system (optional)Only listed if not standard on all trims. No value because no way to compare across models.

Only listed if not standard on all trims. No value because no way to compare across models.

Radar- or camera-based collision preparation systemPrepares brakes (and sometimes also seat belts) for use when radar detects an imminent collision. Might also move seats and close windows. Early Lexus system used laser.

Prepares brakes (and sometimes also seat belts) for use when radar detects an imminent collision. Might also move seats and close windows. Early Lexus system used laser.

Rear side airbagsTorso-level second row airbags, usually contained in the rear door. Some also protect the head, but not as well as side curtain airbags.

Torso-level second row airbags, usually contained in the rear door. Some also protect the head, but not as well as side curtain airbags.

Tire-pressure monitorTwo types: a warning light when a tire is low on air and a pressure readout for each tire.

Two types: a warning light when a tire is low on air and a pressure readout for each tire.

Tires, run-flatCan be driven deflated for about 50 miles. Usually harm ride quality. Cars with these often have no spare tire.

Can be driven deflated for about 50 miles. Usually harm ride quality. Cars with these often have no spare tire.

Torque vectoring, brake-basedUses the brakes to channel torque to the outside wheels and counteract understeer. Similar to stability control, but proactive, and acting to improve cornering performance rather than prevent loss of control.

Uses the brakes to channel torque to the outside wheels and counteract understeer. Similar to stability control, but proactive, and acting to improve cornering performance rather than prevent loss of control.

Traction controlWhen a drive wheel slips, it is braked and/or engine power is reduced, restoring traction.

When a drive wheel slips, it is braked and/or engine power is reduced, restoring traction.

Upgraded stability controlAdditional features for stability control, such as performance calibration.

Additional features for stability control, such as performance calibration.

Cargo Management

Console without shifter

Overhead sunglass holderUsually part of an overhead console.

Usually part of an overhead console.

Climate Control and Infotainment

Air conditioning

Android Auto supportRequires compatible Android phone.

Requires compatible Android phone.

App supportTouchscreen and/or voice control over apps that can include online search, Facebook, Twitter, Pandora, OpenTable, and MovieTickets.com. Requires connected compatible phone. Fees may apply after first three years.

Touchscreen and/or voice control over apps that can include online search, Facebook, Twitter, Pandora, OpenTable, and MovieTickets.com. Requires connected compatible phone. Fees may apply after first three years.

Apple CarPlay supportRequires compatible Apple iPhone.

Requires compatible Apple iPhone.

Audio controls on steering wheel

Automatic air recirculationAutomatically recirculates interior air when pollution is detected in outside air.

Automatically recirculates interior air when pollution is detected in outside air.

Automatic climate control, frontMaintains set temperature in front row. Requires air conditioning and does not include its value.

Maintains set temperature in front row. Requires air conditioning and does not include its value.

Connects car to the Internet to update systems, download information, and/or browse. Includes internal modem, usually requires car-specific broadband service with monthly fee.

Interior air filterFilters exterior air before it enters the passenger compartment. No default value because most cars have them, even in cases where they're not in the official list of features.

Filters exterior air before it enters the passenger compartment. No default value because most cars have them, even in cases where they're not in the official list of features.

Ionizing air filtrationIonizes air to clean it. Might create high levels of ozone.

Ionizes air to clean it. Might create high levels of ozone.

Media driveBuilt-in drive with at least 10 GB of storage for MP3 and other audio files.

Built-in drive with at least 10 GB of storage for MP3 and other audio files.

MP3-compatible playerAudio system capable of playing discs with MP3 files.

Audio system capable of playing discs with MP3 files.

Navigation map updates, three years

Navigation systemScreen-based navigation system.

Screen-based navigation system.

Rain-sensing wipersWipers automatically turn on and adjust their speed based on input from a rain sensor.

Wipers automatically turn on and adjust their speed based on input from a rain sensor.

Rear air ventsVents at aft end of center console, in B-pillars, and/or in ceiling.

Vents at aft end of center console, in B-pillars, and/or in ceiling.

Rear defrost

Rear heat ductsDucts under front seats direct heated air to the second row.

Ducts under front seats direct heated air to the second row.

Satellite radioXM or Sirius. Includes a subscription for three to six months, after which monthly fees apply.

XM or Sirius. Includes a subscription for three to six months, after which monthly fees apply.

SD Card slotSD, CF, PCMCIA, or other digital media reader.

SD, CF, PCMCIA, or other digital media reader.

Smartphone integrationIn BMWs includes baseplate in center console that provides a connection to an external antenna, but that requires an additional adapter.

In BMWs includes baseplate in center console that provides a connection to an external antenna, but that requires an additional adapter.

SMS text-to-speech readerConverts text messages to speech.

Converts text messages to speech.

Surround sound

Telematics service, such as OnStar, with navigationIn-vehicle security, communications, and diagnostics system plus turn-by-turn navigation (no map display). For 2011 and newer cars often includes a remote app. Monthly fee after the first 6-12 months.

In-vehicle security, communications, and diagnostics system plus turn-by-turn navigation (no map display). For 2011 and newer cars often includes a remote app. Monthly fee after the first 6-12 months.

Trip computerReports average fuel economy, and perhaps also instantaneous fuel economy, distance to empty, average speed, and other stats.

Reports average fuel economy, and perhaps also instantaneous fuel economy, distance to empty, average speed, and other stats.

Turn signals on or near mirrors

Powertrain

Active rear differentialActively splits power between the left and right rear wheels, which generally yields sportier handling.

Actively splits power between the left and right rear wheels, which generally yields sportier handling.

Automatic start / stopAutomatically cuts off the engine when the vehicle is stopped and restarts it when the driver lifts off the brake pedal. Not listed for hybrids, where it is generally part of the powertrain system.

Automatically cuts off the engine when the vehicle is stopped and restarts it when the driver lifts off the brake pedal. Not listed for hybrids, where it is generally part of the powertrain system.

Dual-mode exhaustValves open in the exhaust at high rpm and/or during brisk acceleration, for power boost and/or richer sound.

Valves open in the exhaust at high rpm and/or during brisk acceleration, for power boost and/or richer sound.

Dual-mode exhaust, switchableValves open in the exhaust at high rpm and/or during brisk acceleration, for power boost and/or richer sound. Valves can also be opened with a switch.

Valves open in the exhaust at high rpm and/or during brisk acceleration, for power boost and/or richer sound. Valves can also be opened with a switch.

Polished alloy wheelsAlloy wheels highly polished to yield an almost chrome-like finish. In the past valued more highly than regular alloy wheels. But the term is used so broadly lately, often meaning that only some of the wheel face is machined, that they have the same defau

Alloy wheels highly polished to yield an almost chrome-like finish. In the past valued more highly than regular alloy wheels. But the term is used so broadly lately, often meaning that only some of the wheel face is machined, that they have the same defau

Sport suspension (upgrade)Only listed if not standard on all trims. No value because no way to compare across models.

Only listed if not standard on all trims. No value because no way to compare across models.

Suggestive steeringElectronics gently tug the steering wheel to suggest which way to turn for most secure handling.

Electronics gently tug the steering wheel to suggest which way to turn for most secure handling.

Wheel locksLug nuts that can only be removed using a special key. Prevents theft of wheels.

Lug nuts that can only be removed using a special key. Prevents theft of wheels.